All things bear record · Numbers

Numbers 19

2 witnesses of Christ here.

The red heifer

This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke: Numbers 19:2–10

A spotless, unblemished heifer never burdened by a yoke is slain outside the camp, and her ashes become a purification for sin. Hebrews teaches that if these ashes could cleanse the body, the blood of the sinless Christ, who suffered outside the city gate, cleanses the conscience and the soul.

VerifiedProphecy or typeAn ordinance that points to Him

How we know: another scripture interprets it of Him · a traditional type, cited

  • interpreted by Hebrews 9:13-14 — 'If ... the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth ... How much more shall the blood of Christ ... purge your conscience.'
  • a type of what is in Hebrews 13:11-12 — Offerings burned without the camp; 'Jesus also ... suffered without the gate.'
  • a type of what is in 1 Peter 1:19 — Redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

Water of separation sprinkled on the unclean

And for an unclean person they shall take of the ashes of the burnt heifer of purification for sin, and running water shall be put thereto in a vessel: Numbers 19:17–19

The ashes of the sacrifice are mixed with running water and sprinkled on anyone defiled by death until they are clean. Hebrews names this very sprinkling of the unclean and says the blood of Christ cleanses far more: not the body only, but the conscience.

VerifiedProphecy or typeAn ordinance that points to Him

How we know: another scripture interprets it of Him

  • interpreted by Hebrews 9:13-14 — 'The ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean' set beside the cleansing blood of Christ.
  • alluded to by Hebrews 10:22 — Hearts 'sprinkled from an evil conscience' and bodies 'washed with pure water.'